Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), what is the age limit for protection against discrimination?

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) specifically protects individuals who are 40 years old and older from discrimination in employment based on age. This legislation aims to prevent age-related biases that can occur in hiring, promotion, salary decisions, and other employment practices.

By setting 40 as the threshold, the ADEA recognizes that older workers may face significant challenges in the job market compared to their younger counterparts. The emphasis on age 40 was intended to align with the increasing number of older individuals in the workforce and the need for fair treatment regardless of their age as they seek employment or advancement in their careers.

Other age limits presented in the choices do not align with the specific language and intent of the ADEA, which focuses on protecting workers who are 40 and older, establishing a clear guideline for what constitutes age discrimination in employment situations. This age bracket reflects the act's goal of ensuring that individuals are not disadvantaged simply because of their age after reaching a certain point in their career.